Chapter-4
Same day in the morning at the arora house-
When sarla comes inside pragya's room, she finds pragya missing. She searches her daughter frantically all around the House, each & every corner of the house but fails to find her. She worriedly goes to her husband for asking whether he has any idea regarding her whereabouts. But she got the same answer from her husband as well as pragya's friends. She then goes to pragya's room and finds that her important belongings are missing. So,she gets sure that pragya has run away from her marriage. She is thinking about whether to tell abhi or not regarding pragya's absence. Her husband gives idea of informing police about her missing and ask to find her out. So, they files the missing complaint of her and also decides to hide this matter from mehra family.
At the city hospital in Jaipur-
After recovering from the tragedy which took place with her,few hours ago,she is finishing the hospital formalities for recovering the suresh's dead body. On the reception, there comes suresh's parents which has been informed by hospital police. Pragya tries to help them by giving her support to them,but they were in no mood to hear anything from her. Because according to them, she was the sole reason behind losing their only support. They had lost their son,their most treasured possession and only hope in their old age due to her. If she hadn't crossed the paths of their life,then then there family would have been happy family. But after her entry, all those dreams had been destroyed and now they have remained nothing in their life other than grief for the rest of their life,all because of her. So, they didn't want to see her face again ever in their life. She tried everyway possible to make them understand that she is going through the same pain as they are & she will be always there for them. But they forbid her from even taking their son's name from that day. So,she has left no choice other than leave them there. Because her presence can only give pain to them in their life,nothing else than that.
As she is leaving from there,she has no idea in which direction she should go. Because at this moment, she isn't having any future. There is no way going back home and suresh's parents doesn't want to see her face.she isn't able to decide where to go. But one thing she is sure of is that she has to go from here for now. As for the future, it will be seen afterwards. As she moves to go,she felt someone's firm hold on her elbow turning her towards the owner of that hand. She finds the police standing there which has been informed by her parents. She tries to make them understand that she isn't interested in going back home with them but they are in no mood to listen her blabbering. All her talks are falling on deaf ears. Despite her continuous protest, they took her from there and came to her home and submitted her to her parents. They are very Happy to see her back home safely. Sarla is having happy tears in her eyes. She was so worried for her daughter. She took her in the bone crushing hug and exclaims happily"I'm so glad that u came back home safely. I was so worried for u. Don't go anywhere without informing us from next time onwards, ok."orders her in the tone which teacher often uses for her students which are not so obedient.
"Yeh, i know how much u were worried for me. Worried for me or the marriage cancelation??" enquires pragya with the voice full of sarcasm.
"Why are u talking so rudely with your mom,pragya??"asks her father with the scowling face.
"Asking As if u don't know. How does it even matter now, papa!! Anyway, I'm back na,so stop showing this fake concern." With that insulting reply she retires for her room with the red swollen eyes,which has stopped shedding tears because there is no tears left in her eyes anymore, leaving the fuming parents behind.
Next day-
As per the decided schedule marriage of the "abhigya" takes place,but mehra family is unaware of the happening in the past two days in arora house.
Wedding mantras are being chanted as they are completing their rounds around the holy fire silently with heavy garlands hanging around their neck. People are showering them with their blessings by showering the delicate rose petals through their hands while they are busy in paying attention to the importance of various marital vows which have been explained by the priest. However, he was unaware that all these was falling on her deaf ears because she isn't interested in all these customs & formalities. On the contrary, she was engrossed in her beautiful past rather than their present & future.
Abhi was asked to tie the mangalsutra around her neck,her friend handed it over to him,he smiled happily at pragya while walking towards her with the mangalsutra hanging in his fingers,she continued to look into his eyes,emotionlessly and blankly,as he approaches her. Then tied the mangalsutra around her neck as gently as anyone could. Taking care that she shouldn't go through even a slightest of pain due to his actions. However he was far distant from the reality that he might not be causing her physical pain, but what about the emotional pain that she has been going through due to this marriage?? Although he wasn't responsible for it,pragya is considering him as the major reason behind her pain. How will he going to change her opinion regarding him? That's what needed to changed ASAP in their relationship.
When asked to fill her parting with vermilion, she closed her eyes as he smeared the red powder in her parting. A lone tear escaped her eye at the touch of his fingers on her skin. The guests again showered them with rose petals as they were declared husband and wife for the next seven lives. Not able to face the elders with the teary eyes,she bend down with him to seek blessings from the elders of both the families. People considered her tears as the tears of separation from her family but only she knew,what they are actually meant for. Maa had tears in her eyes not sure whether they were happy or sad one. Nevertheless she hugged her as her eyes too welled up.
From pragya's pov-
My friends came upto me to take me to our room which has been prepared for our wedding night. Like a lifeless body i climbed up the stairs still trying to adjust to the new tag of mrs.mehra which has been enforced upon myself some time back. With heavy steps i entered the room decorated with flowers and candles having varieties of fragrance, the fragrance of all this instead of making me feel nice was making me dizzy & nauseated. Sitting on gigantic bed i watched my friends leaving the room with teasing comments much to my annoyance leaving behind myself & a small bag carrying my basic stuff brought from my house,to fight the battle alone for myself,Which is gonna be taking place between me & my unwanted husband.
I turned my gaze towards the huge mirror hanging on the wall, which is having my reflection and the reflection of abhi's smiling photo hanging on opposite wall. It felt like he is mocking me on my helplessness and his victory by getting married to me. For the first time i observed myself in that mirror and the vermilion in my parting reminded me that i had married a person whom i don't love which made me hate myself. I couldn't bear to see myself like that anymore.I curled my fingers into the fist tightly, my nails are digging deep into my palm but the at the moment i couldn't care for such pains when my life is so much in mess.
I pressed my lips hard as i glanced at the bed beautifully decorated by rose petals, squeezing my eyes in disgust i question myself" why am i even sitting on this bed of thorns?". That's enough to break the shackles of my tolerance level as i couldn't take it anymore, i stood up at once & rushed to washroom to freshen up & change into my night clothes.
After taking the bath with hot water to cool myself down,before i stepped out of washroom in my night outfits , i examined myself in the mirror once again. Signs of myself being married like the vermilion & mangalsutra are still there. I sigh deeply & thought some things couldn't be changed. They had to be accepted either out of will or compulsion but they would stay with me for the life being.
I opened the door and stood near it. The atmosphere of the room is having a strange sadness & grief immersed in it. Life would take such a drastic turn i had never imagined. I am preparing myself for the upcoming battle, when all of a sudden the door of the room open up & that made a creaking noise breaking the silence that had over shadowed the room earlier.
From Abhi's Pov-
As i entered the room for my wedding night, i saw her coming out from the closet. She looked like she has taken shower & also changed her clothes into the simple ones. But i have to admit she looked damn Sexy in those outfits and my imagination goes to haywire seeing her like this. That water droplets on her lower lip making her look irresistibly sexy just like an angel. All the possible naughty thoughts in the world came rushing to my mind. Wait, am i ogling at my own wife?? That's so shameless of u abhi! Tells the innocent part of my mind.
"Take a chill pill abhi, she is your own wife. You have every rights to do so."shouts the naughty part of my mind overtaking the innocent one.
But why I'm getting this unsettling feelings in my heart that make's me worry??? Is she in some trouble? Looks like she is worried for some reason. Why is she behaving weirdly? This is she supposed to be our wedding night & according to what little knowledge i have regarding it, she should be waiting for me. While sitting calmly on the bed covering her face under the veil of that designer bridal dress. I have to lift her and she will turn her mouth to opposite side and behave shyly. I will turn her gaze towards me and not able to bear my piercing gaze,she will lower down her eyes. From there on we will move ahead accordingly, that's the way forward. But then why is she behaving this way? Isn't she aware about it?
I think she is too naive to know all this naughty stuff. All this thoughts are making me grin from ear to ear. Suddenly a thought crossed my mind. What if she has planned something else,something more special for us on this memorable night? Even though she looks nice in anything she wears but if she hasn't changed the dress that would have been more fun i guess.but no worries. Let's ask herself only what she has planned in that naughty mind of her's??
Abhi slowly walks towards her,not letting his eyes off of her even for a fraction of second. She also felt his gaze on her and started moving backwards unknowingly. She tried to be out of reach of abhi. But he considered her indifference towards him as her nervousness. He tried to hold her by grabbing her shoulder firmly in his grip. She is using all her strength to get freedom from his grip but he is too strong for someone of her strength. Which forces her to meet his eyes,which are full of love,care & concern for her,for a moment ,it had slipped out of her mind that she should be hating him for his actions. As realization strikes down in her mind,she makes herself free from his clutches forcefully. Although he is quite amazed by her behaviour,he hasn't shown it in his facial expressions.
He asks with a steady voice which is full of concern,"kya hua pragya? tum ese kyon behave kar rahi ho? Mene koi galti ki he?"
(What happened pragya?why are u behaving like this? Has i commit any mistake?)
She replies with the voice full of rage," puch to ese rahe ho jese tum kuch jante hi nahi ho. Tum acchi tarah se jante ho me esa kyu kar rahi hu. Tumne galti nahi gunah kiya he."
(Asking as if u don't know anything. U know very well why i m behaving this way. U haven't done any mistake,you have committed a crime.)
He is thinking it to be a minor problem regarding something. Because according to him, she may get hyper for little things knowing her past actions. But the intensity peeping through her voice & showed it to him that matter is much more serious than what he thought.
He inquires and with the face full of worries,"tum mujhe saf saf bataogi ki akhir bat kya he? Mujhe sach me nahi pata he tum kis bare me bat kar rahi ho."
(Will u please tell me clearly what's the matter? I really don't know what u r talking about?)
Hearing this she lashes out at abhi,"ye nadan banane ki kosis kisi aur ke samne karna.me tumhara asli chehra pahchan chuki hu. Jab tumhe pata tha ki me tumse Pyar nahi karti to tumne mujhse shadi kyo ki? Mujhse jabardasti shadi karke tumne accha nahi kiya. Me tumhe accha dost manti thi. Par ye dosti usi din tut gayi jab tumne shadi ki liye ha kaha tha.tumne mujhse mera pyar chin liya."( Try to act innocently infront of someone else,not me.i have identified your true face. When u already knew that i don't love u then y u married me? U haven't done good by marrying me forcefully. I had considered u as one of my close friend but this friendship had been broken that day only when u agreed for this marriage. U have snatched my love from me.)
Hearing that this marriage has happened by forcing her into it,telling that he is shocked is an understatement. All through out this marriage he thought she is as happy as he is due to the marriage.
He tries to handle the situation & calm her down. He bombards her with the bundle of questions,"tumhara pyar? Iska MATLAB tum kisi aur se pyar karti ho?to fir tumne mujhe kyo nahi bataya ki tum kisi aur se pyar karti ho? Tumse ye shadi jabardati karvai ja rahi he. To me ye shadi rok deta.
(Your love? That means you love someone else?then y hadn't u told me that u love someone else? That u r being forced into this marriage. I would have stopped this marriage.)
She laughs sarcastically and answers all his questions sincerely. Although she is trying very hard to behave mannerly with him but she is failing miserably while doing so.
"Mujhe bewkoof banane ki kosis mat karo.me janti hu tum ye sab apne aap ko accha sabit karne ke liye kah rahe ho,ki tum shadi rok dete.lekin me acche se janti hu,ki tum sach jante thi fir bhi tumne ye shadi ki.Jyada hosiyar banane ki kosis mat karo varna kon shadi ke agle din bhagkar vapas aai Hui ladki se shadi karta he?( Don't try to fool me.i know u r doing all this to prove urself nice infront of me.that u would have stopped marriage. But i know very well that u knew my truth still u married me.Don't try to be oversmart otherwise who would have married a girl who came back after running away from the marriage just the day before it?)
He instantly asks her,"tum shadi se bhag gai thi?to tumhare parents ne mujhe kyo nai bataya?"
(U ran away from the marriage? Then y your parents hasn't told us?)
She is in no mood to reply his questions because she is still not believing that he was unaware of the happenings on her house a day before.
He further continues," mujhe pata tha ki tum mujhse pyar nahi karti. mujhe laga ki shayad age ja kar,mera pyar tumhare dil me mere liye pyar jaga dega.par me galat nikla.vo jagah tumne pahle hi kisi aur ko de rakhi thi."
(I knew that u doesn't love me.i thought that eventually my love for u will ignite the love for me in your heart. But i proved to be wrong because u had given that place already to someone.)
Knowing his thoughts,she makes him face the harsh reality by telling him that" bhale hi mera pyar is duniya me na ho,fir me tumse pyar nahi kar sakti. Kyonki mene humesha use hi pyar kiya he.me kal bhi usase pyar karti thi,aaj bhi karti hu aur age bhi karti rahungi. Bhale hi vo mujhe is jalim duniya me akela chod ke chala ho.uske liye mera pyar kabhi kam nahi hoga,kabhi nahi."
(Although my love is not alive,but still i cannot love u.because i have always loved him only. He was my love in the past, he is in the present and also he will be in the future.he always will.he left me alone in this cruel world but still my love for him will never decrease,never ever.)
He tries to calm her down but Pragya yells at abhi with an outrageous face which clearly shows how far away she has gone from him emotionally although they are just couple of feets away from each other physically.
" kya socha tha tumne, ki tum mujhse shaadi kar loge aur me man jaungi?? Kabhi nahi.."(what do u thought, u will marry me and I will accept u??? It will never happen )
Abhi tries to hold her by taking her hand in his to make her understand what's there in his heart for her...but she pulls her hand apart from his by the sudden jerk, he just stares her with the piercing gaze and longing for her in his eyes.
She exclaims"chhuna bhi mat mujhe. Tumhe dekhkar mujhe ghin ati he. Tum kabhi mera pyar hasil nahi kar paoge. Me humesha tumse nafrat karti rahugi,meri jindagi barbad karne ke liye. Agar mere sath jabardasti karne ki kosis ki to me apni Jan de dungi aur uske jimmedar tum hoge, fir tumhe kanun se koi nahi bacha payega.( don't touch me. Even a mere sight of u disgusts me to the core. U will never be able to get my love. I will always hate u for ruining my life. If u try to force urself on me, then I will do suicide.and u will be responsible be for it and then no one will be able to save u from law.) After showing her outburst she walks away from there leaving a shattered abhi behind whose dreams of having a loving, little, happy family has been broken brutally by his own wife.
He mumbles to himself,"i was oblivious to the fact that she isn't happy with marriage and loves someone else otherwise i wouldn't have done this. But there is no point telling this to her. She isn't gonna believe me instead will accuse me for the crimes which i hadn't thought of even in my wildest of dreams." But he doesn't knew that he muttered it loud enough to be heard by her. She overhears it & replies fittingly,"oh yeah,don't try to act smart with me. I'm not gonna believe this nonsense of yours."
After the facing the harsh truth of his marriage on the wedding night itself,he was completely shattered and in a devastated state. All hell broke loose for him.he was broken beyond repair. But after looking at her,he feels that she looks so vulnerable & fragile at this moment that even a mere touch of him will break her down in million of pieces.
He feels anger rising towards her parents in his heart for ruining the lives of both of them. But after having a deep thinking he realizes that they were also helpless in front of their love for pragya. They can't watch her ran away with some random guy who wasn't worthy enough to give her financial stability and she might have to face problems if she had married him. They were also wanting best for her. Now,marriage has happened & i can't do anything. I have gotten married. So,should respect the vows taken in the marriage and fulfill them whole heartily. I will her so much that she will accept me first as friend, then as husband. Then she will start living her life happily and joyfully & eventually we will improve our relationship into something nice and beautiful like the flowers blossoming in the season of spring.
So,he requests pragya,"please don't tell our parents what all happened between us tonight otherwise it will break their hearts. U have already broken mine. So, please spare them for few days. We have to hide that we're not happy in this marriage & we have to act as happily married couple in front of them." After thinking for while she agreed.
After all this long & hectic day he is fully tired. So, he suggests her," let's sleep." To which she replies frantically,"i will not share bed with u. I don't accept u as my husband. What am i explaining you from past one hour?"
He replies in a flash,"I'm not asking u to sleep with me. I'm suggesting that after this whole tiring day, we should finally retire to bed. That's it."
She replies still in an argumentative tone," there is only one bed in this room & i will not share it with you. You have to sleep outside the room."
He surrenders to her demand and goes to sleep in living hall muttering to himself,"oh god,u have made mockery out of my life.no problem, these are the consequences of the marriage. So,let's face it. Till now it looks a very scary future for me in this marriage. Just a thought of it creates goosebumps all over my body. Look at the audacity in her, in my own house she is asking me to sleep in the living hall. Let's see whats in store for me from tomorrow onwards. I guess I'm having the most unique wedding night in the world. This is how my wedding night ended before it could get started, which remaines unfinished leaving me with shattered hopes and dreams which have been broken mercilessly by my wife on the first night of our wedding, a night which i will never be able to forget.
u have made mockery out of my life.no problem, these are the consequences of the marriage. So,let's face it. Till now it looks a very scary future for me in this marriage. Just a thought of it creates goosebumps all over my body. Look at the audacity in her, in my own house she is asking me to sleep in the living hall. Let's see whats in store for me from tomorrow onwards. I guess I'm having the most unique wedding night in the world. This is how my wedding night ended before it could get started, which remaines unfinished leaving me with shattered hopes and dreams which have been broken mercilessly by my wife on the first night of our wedding, a night which i will never be able to forget.
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Shiv Shakti
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